Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Africa’s third-longest-serving leader, launches his bid for a seventh term. Image: Anadolu Agency.
(The Post News)– After 39 years in power, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed he will once again seek re-election for the 2026 election. This would make this his 7th consecutive term since 1986, cementing his status as one of the longest-serving African presidents.
Since he first took power after a five-year civil war, the Ugandan president has been praised by supporters as a stabilizing force who brought peace when it was most needed, along with significant economic and infrastructure development across Uganda. President Museveni has pledged to “really wipe out corruption” and has set a goal of transforming Uganda’s $66 billion economy into a $500 billion economy in the next five years.
However, human rights groups and opposition leaders have criticized President Museveni’s demonization of the LGBTQIA+ community, warning that the state is becoming increasingly authoritarian. Especially in light of claims—refuted by Museveni—that recent elections involved vote-rigging and the use of violence to silence dissent. Additionally, throughout his tenure, constitutional amendments have removed presidential term and age constraints, enabling him to remain in office.
His main opposition in the 2026 elections is expected to be Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. He is a popular musician-turned-politician known for his vocal criticism of the presidential administration. Wine has faced repeated non-convicted arrests as security forces cracked down on opposition supporters. But despite that, he remains one of the main voices rallying support for change.
The Ugandan presidential elections are set to begin sometime in January 2026.
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